Page 40 of Invisible Bars

I closed my eyes, but when I opened them, he was still staring.

Imanio leaned down just slightly, lips inches from mine—but not touching.

“I could’ve left you in that spot for someone else to find. Or… I could’ve let you run wild and hope for the best. But I don’t dohope… I do control, precision, anddamagecontrol when needed. And if I’m offering you my last name, it’s not because I see potential in you as my wife; it’s because it fixes a narrative that could ruin me.”

My fingers twitched again, and suddenly I became hyperaware of how serious the situation was.

“This ain’t about feelings or fairy tales,” he continued, pulling back. “It’s about making sure nobody questions me—or you—when the questions start coming. That’s the deal. You may call it kidnapping; I call it protection. Either way…” His eyes lazily roamed down my body and back up. “You’re here. And now you have a decision to make. Clock’s ticking, baby girl.”

My body was still trembling, but not from fear that time. Something about the finality in his voice—the ruthless clarity of it—made my stomach twist; not in horror… but in something that made me shift in place, like my skin didn’t fit right anymore.

I clenched my thighs together behind the blanket I held in front of me and looked away quickly.

Tics or not, my body had always betrayed me in stressful situations. But that… it felt different. And that scared me even more.

“Breakfast will be served soon, and your presence isrequired.”

I wanted to argue more, but I was too exhausted… too worn out. Besides, I could eat.

Imanio turned toward the door but paused. “And Naji?”

I looked up, startled by the sound of my name.

How does he know my name?Then again, I was popular at one point in my life.

“I don’t know what beef you got with water and soap, but I promise you, it’s not that deep. So y’all need to get reunitedtoday.I’m not gon’ lie—I expected it to smell way worse in here. Still, before you eventhinkabout stepping one foot out this room, you need to wash yo’ ass… likethoroughly.”

Well, tell me how you really feel.I thought.

“No offense,” he added, though it was definitely offensive, “But it looks like hygiene been on pause since we brought you here. Fix that.”

“Scrub ya mama’s back with a Brillo pad!”

I went still—like my whole body hit a break button I didn’t press.

Imanio tilted his head slightly, a flicker of amusement dancing in his expression.

We just… stared at each other.

“What was that?” he asked, mouth curving just slightly—like the edge of a smirk was threatening to expose itself, but he wasn’t about to let it win.

That’s new. He’s never commented on my tics or outbursts before now… not once. He either ignored them completely or acted like I hadn’t said anything at all. But now he’s asking.

“W-What do you mean?”

“That last one… The Brillo pad comment. It sounded a little… personal.”

I shifted awkwardly. My knee bounced once and fingers twitched at my sides.

“Ittttttttttttttt wasn’t! I-I didn’t mean it! It just—it just came out!”

His nod came without expression. But that smug curl at the corner of his mouth stayed put, like satisfaction tasted better when it wasn’t explained.

“Mm-hmm. Well, next time, aim for someone else’s mama. Mine’s already too high-maintenance to be scrubbed by anything less than imported silk.”

The slight humor disappeared from his face like it had never existed, replaced by that grumpy, commanding energy he carried so well.

“But it’s all good. In—” he glanced at his watch, “—ten minutes, I need you showered, dressed, and smelling like you know why hot water and soap exist.”